A/N: arsyousaf112 I read your review and yes, Sai will not be limited to just ink.
Also, I'll try using ryo currency (that's what Asuma's bounty currency was) Also I will be making up values, so be it. I don't care if it isn't accurate.
Onto the story…
(I don't own nothing except this objectively better plot than the likes of the war arc and Boruto, [like how can you make a power-scaling story following literal ninja-jesus battles, it should have ended with Naruto taking the hat from Kakashi].)
That evening I had the luck to pick up my monthly stipend. Now last month, the thousand ryo went to extra food, condiments, 10 shuriken and 10 kunai. This time, one hundred would be spent on the pastries tomorrow (A/N: assume 10 ryo = $1 I guess) so only 900 would be left over to put towards improving my lifestyle. I didn't want to spend it all, probably keep some aside as a form of emergency fund. I had checked the cost of clothing on my strolls to and from the Academy, and there was an end of season sale at one of the clothing stores, 'up to 50% off on shinobi-ready ware'. Perfect. I'd stop by there after my meeting with Danzo-sama.
The following day was great. In the morning, I had grabbed two cinnamon scrolls, the freshest they had, and darted to the Academy so that Hinata-chan and I could eat them at their best. I had arrived 10 minutes before class had started, and conveniently, Hinata-chan was waiting their like usual and graciously thanked me for the gift, before gesturing for me to take a bite.
It,
Was,
Glorious!
Love at first sight…
More like Love at first bite.
Hinata-chan was spot on, and said person even giggled at my expression of bliss. Truth be told, I had never had anything legitimately sweet in my life so far, bread and cereal didn't count.
That bliss didn't last long however, as the delicacy was snatched out of my hand whilst my eyes were closed and my senses getting used to the taste. I quickly opened my eyes to see what had happened.
A blonde boy stuffing his face with my breakfast, my food, my money.
"HAHA! Got your food! Get pranked! Suck on that Sai, you pale freak."
I'd love to fight him, though I couldn't. There was no reason to. My scroll was gone, and it was the Jinchuriki for goodness' sake! I couldn't fight back! Danzo-sama would have my head. The Root agents tracking him would surely let him know even if I lied.
So I sat there, head down, frown present while he continued to laugh at me, even going as far as to stand in front of my desk, which was on a step so he was eye level. Eventually, I got fed up and walked out of the room before I caved in and tried beating him to a pulp. Danzo-sama wouldn't stand for it.
When I walked back in, having used the opportunity to go to the bathroom, class was about to start, Naruto had returned to his seat and Iruka-sensei was yelling at everybody to get back into their seats. The usual.
I looked at Hinata-chan, and she was either worried, stressed or conflicted (It's hard to tell with those blank eyes). She turned to me: "Sorry, Sai-kun. You can have this scroll. I've already had breakfast."
"Are you sure? You don't seem so keen on letting me have it."
"Please, Sai-kun. I know you haven't had breakfast. I can see your chakra isn't nourished like it usually is."
I forgot… those Byakugan could see chakra even when not activated, only losing out on their x-ray and omnipresent vision when inactive. (A/N: don't care, allow it. Literally insignificant/not going to be a Byakuygan buff)
"Alright". I took the scroll, and teared it in half, handing her one whilst I took a bite of the other.
"W- What! You can't do that, Sai-kun."
"I can and I did, thank you very much. Now enjoy this magnificent delight, Hinata-chan."
"Oh… well thank you again."
"Anytime."
After the lecture on chakra elements ended, I nudged Hinata-chan with my elbow: "Hey Hinata-chan. How often do you get to eat cinnamon scrolls, or just pastries in general?"
"I don't know. Probably a few times a month."
"Well then. I'll get each of us one every month starting now."
"What! Isn't that expensive?"
"Don't worry. It won't make me broke or anything. I already put aside most of my stipend and anyways, when we become genin, we'll be making way more than what I get nowadays."
"Oh, alright then. Thank you, Sai-kun, but don't go wasting all your money on pastries."
"I'll survive."
At the end of the day, I approached Sasuke one more time before my meeting with Danzo-sama, hopefully to make some sort of progress. "Hey Sasuke-san."
"No."
"Would you care to be friends?"
"No. Please leave me alone, thank you."
A last-ditch effort, "Surely I'm better than those fangirls that linger behind your every step."
"DIDN'T YOU HEAR SASUKE-KUN! HE WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE!" The armada screeched. Sasuke chose that opportune moment to run for the hills, only for the squealing Fanclub to hunt him down.
How ironic.
I waved goodbye at Hinata-chan before heading to the Root Headquarters for my report.
"Report."
"Yes, Danzo-sama. I have established that Uchiha Sasuke is clearly top of his class in everything except academics, where he is matched by a few, which isn't surprising as the curriculum isn't difficult. I have tried to befriend him 2 times, but I have been instantly rejected. He has no friends or allies in or out of the class to my knowledge, has a 100% female fanbase that stalk him whilst he runs, hides or tunes them out where possible. That is all about Uchiha Sasuke without delving into irrelevant details."
"Good. What are you up to?"
"I have kindled a friendship with the Hyuga heiress, Hyuga Hinata, and both sit and talk with her daily. Also I hav-"
"Halt. Why have you done so?"
"I assume that having political allies with a heiress of such a prestigious clan can only be a boon, and anyways there isn't much else to do."
"Any other clan heirs acting up?"
"They all fit their description. The Jinchuriki is a nuisance though."
"Explain."
"I gifted the Hyuga a pastry today, and he had stolen it from us whilst I was preoccupied with trying another piece." I subtly lied in order to hide the fact I had been robbed in broad daylight by a loud, orange wearing academy student. Danzo-sama would have my head for that no doubt. "I didn't fight back, as to not cause a scene, but he has no respect. He called stealing food and eating it a prank." Danzo-sama frowned at this, much to my fear.
"I told him this would happen, but no! Hiruzen had to let him roam free without a care in the world." He muttered to himself. Thank goodness I wasn't the problem in his mind. "Alright… Uzumaki Naruto is a pest, so do avoid him where necessary. Continue to not rise to his taunts. Seeing as you have befriended a useful person, I will have you only visit annually from now on. Hiruzen will not have my influence so linked with an heir of the Hyuga. Do as you must, and only report if anything drastic has happened, or Uchiha Sasuke has had a sudden increase in his skillset or abilities. Report any new jutsu learnt by him on your annual report. Questions?"
"No, Danzo-sama."
"Dismissed."
Well then… I was off the hook for a year now. That's good I guess.
I decided to take a pitstop at my old barracks, have those memories for the last time before grabbing my-, no… Shin's book and heading back to my apartment. After placing it under my bed, I headed to the clothes store to grab something more ninja-like.
"Welcome to the Red Ribbon. Based on your physique I assume you're a ninja or ninja in training?" I nodded. "We currently have a sale up to 50% off on the shinobi section to your right. That includes tops, bottoms, shoes and accessories such as new bandana fabric. Let any of us in the red polos help you if you need it."
"Thank you."
I turned right and headed to the left-hand side of the racks, where child sizes were located. Some things were still full price, but most were 20-30% off, that sneaky *up to* marketing. I spent about half an hour digging before I found a combination of clothes I was happy with. 2 black crop-top t-shirts listed at half price (the Yamanaka heir wore crop tops, so they must be in fashion, as she ran the show), 2 black ninja pants at 40% and some black ninja sandals at 40% off. I also got a few pairs of underwear and a mesh long sleeve top for if I ever needed it.
"That will come to a total of 700 ryo."
I handed over the 7 100 ryo bills, more than happy to finally get some proper ninja attire that fit and wasn't restrictive. Then again, there went 80% of my monthly budget in one day. I vowed to not spend another coin for the rest of the month. Who knew when I needed something well above my stipends.
The next day at school, nobody really cared for my change of clothing, apart from two people. Hinata-chan grabbed the sleeve of my shirt and felt the fabric, quickly saying "I like it" before going back to staring at whatever she stares at.
The other person was none other than the pesky Jinchuriki. "HAHA! You're dressed like a girl! Have you never gone shopping in your life? You look like an emo Ino."
While nobody gave a care in the world about Naruto, after all he was an attention hog, the line had caused the Inuzuka to laugh and said mocked blonde punched a hole in Naruto's gut before heading back over to 'her Sasuke-kun'.
That's when I noticed. Hinata's head had been following the Jinchuriki. Maybe he was the one that she was watching, as opposed to the whole class. I had to ask her, my impatient childish brain having enough of waiting for class to start.
"Hey, Hinata-chan?"
"Yes, Sai-kun?" Never moving her head in reply.
"What are you always staring at?"
A furious blush popped up on her face before she put her hands over her face, covering her eyes. Well, that settled it. She was definitely staring at somebody as opposed to into a blank space, and that person was likely Naruto of all people. Maybe she saw the Kyuubi's chakra with her Byakugan. Maybe not. She would know.
"Is it Naruto you watch?"
I didn't realise her face could get even more red, but it somehow did, matching the fire of the Hokage's hat. It didn't last long.
The Hyuga heir had fainted onto her desk. Thank goodness he was the only person who noticed, or else she'd receive a healthy dose of childhood bullying, although it wouldn't be healthy for someone like her with such low self-esteem issues.
When she regained consciousness in a few minutes, I nudged her towards a slip of paper saying 'We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but if you do, I'm happy to listen whenever.' A visible depression of her chest made it clear to me that she wouldn't be speaking about it anytime soon, if ever.
A/N: Sai and Hinata may have a friendly, teammate or lover relationship if any of you want that. Review your opinion and what team you want Sai to end up on. (Either Team 7 for Sakura, Team 8 for Kiba, Team 10 for any of them, or a cannon fodder team) Thanks.